Infant safety device

ABSTRACT

A safety device ( 2 ) for use in safely restraining an infant, particularly on a flat substrate, is described, the safety device ( 2 ) comprising a support portion ( 4 ) for supporting the body of the infant and a harness portion ( 20 ) for restraining the body of the infant in the supported position in which the harness ( 20 ) includes a number of flaps ( 16, 22, 24, 28 ) which co-operate with each other to envelop a part of the body of the infant, thereby restraining the infant. The device may be in the form of a U-pillow or in the form of a pillowcase for a U-pillow. In addition, the device is provided with a pocket ( 14 ) for storing the harness when not in use and for acting as a neck, head or shoulder rest by providing an extra thickness of padding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to safety devices for humans andmethods of using the device to keep humans safe, particularly youngchildren, infants, toddlers or the like. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to safety devices for use with infants and to methodsof using the device to keep infants safe when placed on a substrate,such as for example the floor of a dwelling, a bed, in a pram or similarlocation, particularly when placed on a flat surface where there is adanger of the infant rolling off or over the substrate. Even moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a combined support andharness in the form of a pillow, cushion or similar, a pillowcase orother covering for the pillow or cushion, for maintaining infants in asafe and secure position when placed on the substrate, particularly aflat surface over which the infant can roll. The present invention findsparticular application as a combined pillow and harness or a pillowcasecontaining a harness for infants generally under the age of 12 months toprevent the infant from rolling over or becoming wedged or otherwiselocated underneath the pillow when placed on a substrate, thus providingsafety for the infant whilst unattended.

Although the present invention will be described with particularreference to one form of a combined support and safety harness in theform of a pillow, it is to be noted that the scope of the presentinvention is not restricted to the described embodiment, but rather thescope of the present invention is more extensive so as to include otherarrangements of the device and its use in other applications, and toother forms, such as for example including pillowcases for coveringU-shaped pillows, in which the pillowcase is provided with a harness forrestraining the body or torso of the infant on or in the pillow.

In the description of the present invention, it is to be noted that inthe interests of safety for the infant, the infant should not be leftunattended, or if left unattended it should be for as short a time aspossible. Whilst the device of the present invention is primarily asafety device for infants when left unattended, it is recommended thatif the device is used such periods during which the child is unattendedbe reduced to a minimum

Infants, particularly infants under the age of about nine months, oftenneed to be placed on substrates, particularly flat surfaces, such as forexample the floor, on the upper surface of a bed, or even in a pram orsimilar. If the infants are unsupported or unrestrained, there is achance that through movement, such as for example kicking, they couldroll or otherwise move into a position which is more dangerous than theoriginal position in which they were located, such as for example bybecoming lodged under a pillow on the bed. It is to be noted that caremust be exercised in placing the infant in an appropriate position, suchas for example as recommended to reduce the chances of sudden infantdeath syndrome (SIDS) or similar, when originally placing the infant.

Attempts have been made to prevent the infant from moving, such as forexample by placing pillows, bolsters, cushions or the like on eitherside of the baby to form a barrier, restraint or similar. Such loose andtemporary supports are not always effective, in that the infant can rollunder the loose support or can move the temporary support out of theway, or move to a position where the support or restraint is no longereffective. This is particularly so of supports which are adjustable orhave portions which are adjustable.

One attempt to address the problems associated with such temporary loosesupports is the so-called “U-pillow”, which is generally a pillow in theshape of a U, having two more or less tapering side arms connected oneither side of a rear portion, in which a gap or space is definedbetween the arms and the rear portion. The infant is placed in this gapor space. Whilst such pillows are referred to as “U-pillows”, it is tobe noted that the side arms can adopt a range of angles when extendingfrom the rear support portion. In some instances, the U-pillows arereferred to as “triangular” pillows. Whilst U-pillows provide supportand restrain the infant from sideways movement, owing to the shape anddesign of the U-pillow the infant often is able to slide off or burrowunderneath the m or rear portion of the U-pillow so that the rearsupport section of the U-pillow can be located over the face and headregion of the infant. In this position, there is a chance that theinfant will suffocate, or at least become distressed by being in anunfamiliar and threatening position, particularly if the child is leftunattended even for short periods of time.

Accordingly, U-pillows or the like suffer from a number of deficiencies.Therefore, there is a need to address these deficiencies by providing amodified U-pillow or pillowcase for covering the U-pillow, to enable theinfant to be supported and restrained in the original safe position sothat even if the infant is left unattended for periods of time (which isnot recommended) there is little or no chance that the infant can moveto a more dangerous position.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide an infantsafety device which overcomes at least one of the disadvantages ofexisting similar devices by providing in one form a combined support andharness for restraining the infant and for maintaining the baby orinfant in a safe position, or in a second form a harness adapted toco-operate with a support to restrain the infant in a safe position.Thus, the present invention includes within its scope both a modifiedU-pillow and a pillowcase with harness for the U-pillow or similar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an infant safetydevice for supporting an infant in a predetermined position, comprisinga supporting arrangement or a cover for a supporting arrangement inwhich the supporting arrangement has at least one support element forproviding support for the infant when in the predetermined position, anda harness arrangement comprising at least one harness member formaintaining the infant in the predetermined position in relation to thesupporting arrangement during use of the device when the infant islocated in the predetermined position, wherein the predeterminedposition is a substantially safe position and wherein the at least oneharness member is connected to or co-operates with the supportarrangement or cover for the support arrangement, whereby the combinedeffect of the support arrangement and the harness arrangement bothsupports the infant and maintains the infant in the safe position sothat when the infant is supported by the support arrangement in thepredetermined position, the harness arrangement is operative to maintainthe infant in this position.

Typically, the supporting arrangement is a pillow. More typically, thepillow is a generally U-shaped pillow or a triangular pillow. Moretypically, the U-shaped pillow is provided with two side support armsand a rear support portion in which the arms are connected to the rearportion at either side of the rear portion to define the supportarrangement. Even more typically, the two side arms and rear supportportion define a generally U-shaped or V-shaped space for receiving theinfant.

Preferably, the safety device is a pillowcase designed to cover theU-shaped or V-shaped pillow. More preferably, the pillowcase has two armportions for covering the respective arms of the U-shaped pillow and abody portion for covering the rear part of the U-shaped pillow.

Typically, in use, the infant is placed in the U-shaped space definedbetween the two support arms so that the back of the infant is supportedby the rear support portion and the side support portion and isconstrained from movement away from the support arrangement by the sidearms, More typically, the head and back of the infant are supported bythe rear support portion and located between the side support portionsin the space. Even more typically, the infant is supported in areclining position in which the head is located at a level above that ofthe body. Even more typically, the infant can be located on its back oron its front.

Typically, the harness can be integral with the support by being part ofthe pillow, or part of the pillowcase, or the harness may be separatefrom the support by being either attached to the pillow or to thepillowcase. Irrespective of the form of the support or of the harness,the harness arrangement is provided with at least one element or member.Typically, the element or member is a flexible element, such as a flapor similar. More typically, the harness comprises two or more flaps.Even more typically, there are three or four flaps which co-operativelyinteract with each other.

Typically, at least some of the flaps are arranged to at least partiallyoverlap with each other. Even more typically, the ends of at least someof the flaps overlap. Typically, the ends of the flaps are provided withsuitable fastening means. Even more typically, the flaps in an operativeposition form a cross or cruciform shape for enveloping the body ortorso of the infant. More typically, the fastening means are releasablefastening means, preferably velcro strips, press studs or similarreleasable fasteners.

Typically, the safety device is provided with a pocket into which theharness may be folded when not in use. More typically, the pocket isassociated with the rear support portion. Even more typically, thepocket is located on the upper surface in use of the rear supportportion spanning between the side support portions. Even more typically,the pocket forms a headrest or additional support area for the infantwhen supported by the device in use. More typically, one of the flapsforms the pocket.

Typically, two of the flaps are arranged in opposed relationship. Moretypically, three of the flaps are located regularly spaced apart fromeach other to extend in different directions. More typically, the flapsare foldable around the infant to form the harness to restrain the bodyof the infant.

Typically, movement of the infant when in the harness is prevented bythe stability of the device in that the side support portions or armsact as outriggers which prevent substantial movement of the infant, andprevent the device from being translocated or from inverting, tippingover or the like.

Typically, the device of the present invention can be provided withsuitable filling, such as for example polystyrene beads, stuffing,packaging, wool or the like, or can be provided in an unfilled conditionready for filling. For example, the U-pillow may be provided in apillow-case like configuration together with instructions for fillingwith appropriate material or may be a pillowcase adapted to receive aU-pillow or to cover a U-pillow.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one form of the infant safety device of thepresent invention in which the harness is folded and stored within thepocket located on the top surface of the device;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in which theharness is in an extended position in readiness for receiving the bodyof the infant; and

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 in whichthe infant is received in the harness in use in which the flaps aresecured over the body of the infant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With particular reference to FIG. 1, there is shown one form of thedevice of the present invention generally denoted as 2. The supportarrangement 4 of the device 2 is a generally U-shaped pillow, ahorseshoe shaped cushion or similar. Pillow 4 comprises a generallyarcuate rear support portion 6 and two side support portions or arms 8,10 extending generally perpendicularly from either side of the rearsupport portion 6 in spaced apart parallel relationship to form sidesupport arm. Rear support portion 6 and side arms 8, 10 provide asupport surface for the infant (as shown more particularly in FIG. 3) bydefining a generally U-shaped support surface in the form of a gap 12which is of a corresponding U-shape or horseshoe shape. In use, theinfant is placed substantially in gap 12 and is partially maintained inplace by the support surface formed from the rear support and the sidesupport arms.

A pocket 14 is provided in the top surface of rear support portion 6extending between both side arms 8 and 10. A support harness 20 when ina folded configuration is located within pocket 14 when the harness isnot in use. In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the device actsas a conventional U-pillow without the harness. Flap 16 which is used toform pocket 14 also acts as an additional support area for the infant byacting as a head rest or neck or shoulder rest. Additionally, the extrathicknesses of the flaps of the harness and flap 16 provide additionalpadding for supporting the head, neck and shoulders of the infant.

With particular reference to FIG. 2 which shows the harness in anunfolded configuration ready for use, support harness 20 will now bedescribed in more detail. Support harness 20 comprises a number ofindividual flaps or foldable portions and a connecting portion.Connecting portion 22 is located beneath pocket flap 16 and is sewn orotherwise secured to the upper surface of rear support portion 6, suchas by sewing or other suitable fastening means. Connecting portion 22securely connects the harness 20 to pillow 4. A first side flap 24extends from the main body portion 25 of support harness 20 to one sideso as to overlie one side support arm 8. A velcro strip or othersuitable fastener 26 is provided at or towards the distal end of flap 24on one surface. A second side flap 28 extends from the opposite side ofthe main body portion 25 of harness 20 to overlie the other side supportarm 10, and is also provided with a velcro strip 30 or similar on onesurface. It is to be noted that the velcro strip 26 is located on adifferent surface to the velcro strip 30 so that when the two side flaps24, 28 overlap each other the respective velcro strips co-operativelyengage with each other to hold the respective flaps in place. Body flap32 extends longitudinally from the body portion 25 of support harness 20between the two wide flaps 24, 28. Body flap 32 is shaped to conform tothe lower portion of the body of the infant by being provided withshaped intermediate portions 36 of a generally arcuate shape.

Body portion 32 is optionally provided with a velcro strip or othersuitable fastening means allowing both side flaps 24, 28 and body flap32 to be securely connected to each other as is shown more particularlyin FIG. 3. Alternatively, the distal end of body flap 32 is retained inplace between the lower body of the infant and the overlapping distalends of side flaps 24, 28.

Another form of the present invention (not illustrated) involves the useof flap 16 and connecting portion 22 being the same component in whichflap 16 forms the pocket and also the connecting piece so that theremaining parts of the harness can be folded into the pocket formed byflap 16. In this embodiment, there is no separate connecting portion 22.

In use of the device 2 of the present invention, device 2 is placed on asuitable substrate such as the floor, bed or similar. The harnessarrangement 20 is folded out of pocket 14 and placed in a positionsimilar to that shown in FIG. 2 with the flaps extended in readiness forreceiving the infant. The infant is placed on the device 2 so that thehead of the infant contacts the outer surface of pocket 14 whichprovides additional support for the head of the infant. The body portionof the infant is placed on the body of the harness arrangement,typically in the vicinity of central portion 25, and nestles within gap12 of the device. Body flap 32 and body side flaps 24, 28 are foldedabout the lower trunk of the infant and securely fastened by the velcrofastening strips 26, 30. In this position, the infant is located in apredetermined position between the side support arms 8, 10 and the rearsupport portion 6 and is retained in this position by the flaps of theharness. Therefore, the infant is both located and maintained in a safeand secure position with little or no possibility of moving the device 2or tipping it over, even if the infant should attempt to move the device2 by kicking or similar movement.

Another form of the device is a pillowcase for covering a U-pillow. Thepillowcase and harness arrangement are provided as an integral unit,including the provision of the pocket. With this embodiment, theU-pillow is received in the pillowcase so that a combined support andharness arrangement is provided. In this pillowcase form of theinvention, the harness is directly connected to the pillowcase ratherthan to the pillow as described previously. The harness may take anyform that is suitable.

Advantages of the present invention include the following:

The U-pillow and/or U-pillowcase may be used as a conventional U-pillowor may be used as a combined safety device providing support andrestraint.

When the infant is located within the harness, it is prevented frommovement, particularly movement burrowing underneath the device, therebypreventing the infant from suffocating or being distressed.

The side support arms, as well as providing support for the head, neck,shoulders and back of the infant, also act as outriggers preventing thedevice from being tipped over or otherwise overturned from its normalorientation.

The device of the present invention may be used to support the infant inother situations, such as for example by placing the pillow on aperson's lap and supporting the infant in the device, so that the infantis additionally supported in such circumstances which can include whenthe infant is being fed, particularly breast-fed.

The device of the present invention may be used to support an infantwhen the infant is attempting to sit up, to prevent the infant fromfalling to one side. Also, it may be used to maintain the infant in areclining position or a substantially reclining position.

The described arrangement has been adduced by explanation and manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention which includes every novel feature and novel combinationof features hereindisclosed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention describedherein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than thosespecifically described. It is understood that the invention includes allsuch variations and modifications which fall within the spirit andscope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An infant safety device (2) comprising: agenerally U-shaped pillow (4) having a gap (12) extending therethroughfor safely supporting the infant in a generally reclining position, saidgap (12) being defined by first and second side support arms (8, 10) anda rear support portion (6) wherein the first and second arms (8, 10) areconnected to the rear support portion (6) on opposing sides thereof,said rear support portion (6) extending away from a plane of a flatsubstrate, said rear support portion (6) and the first and second sidearms (8, 10) cooperating to assist in supporting the infant in thegenerally reclining position on the flat substrate; and a harnessarrangement (20) comprising at least one harness member (16, 24, 28, 32)for restraining the infant in the gap (12), at least a part of theharness arrangement (20) cooperating with the generally U-shaped pillow(4) to prevent separation of the harness arrangement (20) therefrom,said at least one harness member (16, 24, 28, 32) of the harnessarrangement (20) cooperating with the infant to restrain the infant inthe gap (12) whereby the pillow (4) and the harness arrangement (20)combine to safely support and restrain the infant in the generallyreclining position.
 2. The infant safety device as recited in claim 1further including a pillow cover for cooperatively receiving said pillow(4), said at least a part of the harness arrangement (20) cooperatingwith the pillow cover to prevent separation of the harness arrangement(20) therefrom.
 3. The infant safety device as recited in claim 1wherein said at least one member (16, 24, 28, 32) includes two flaps(24, 28) provided with releasable fastening means (26, 30) locatedsubstantially adjacent a distal end thereof for permitting cooperativeengagement of said two flaps (26, 30) such that said two flaps (26, 30)partially envelop a torso of the infant to restrain the infant in thereclining position.
 4. The infant safety device as recited in claim 1wherein said at least one member (16, 24, 28, 32) includes a flap (24)provided with releasable fastening means (26) located substantiallyadjacent a distal end thereof for permitting cooperative engagement ofsaid flap (24) with the pillow (4) to at least partially envelop a torsoof the infant to restrain the infant in the reclining position.
 5. Theinfant safety device as recited in claim 1 wherein the pillow (4) isprovided with a pocket (14) for receiving the harness arrangement (20),said pocket (14) being provided on the rear support portion (6) of thepillow (4).
 6. The infant safety device as recited in claim 5 whereinthe pocket (14) is attached to the pillow (4) around at least a part ofa perimeter of the pocket (14) such that a portion of the perimeter isopen to allow access into the pocket (14).
 7. The infant safety deviceas recited in claim 6 wherein the pocket (14) further forms a supportarea for a head, neck or shoulders of the infant when the infant issupported by the device (2) in the reclining position.
 8. The infantsafety device as recited in claim 1 wherein the generally U-shapedpillow (4) is generally U-shaped along a central plane of the device(2).
 9. The infant safety device as recited in claim 8 wherein theinfant is supported in the reclining position by the rear supportportion (6) and further is prevented from rolling sideways by the firstand second side arms (8,10).
 10. The infant safety device as recited inclaim 1 wherein the first and second side support arms (8, 10) extendoutwardly from the rear support portion (6) in spaced apart parallelrelationship to each other.
 11. The infant safety device as recited inclaim 1 wherein the harness arrangement (20) is undetachably connectedto the pillow (4).
 12. The infant safety device as recited in claim 1wherein the at least one harness member (16,24, 28, 32) is flexible. 13.The infant safety device as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least onemember (16, 24, 28, 32) includes three flaps (24, 28, 32) for at leastpartially overlapping therewith so that at least one of said three flaps(24, 28, 32) overlies a torso or a body of the infant.
 14. The infantsafety device as recited in claim 13 wherein said three flaps (24, 28,32) are provided with releasable fastening means (26, 30).
 15. An infantsafety device comprising: a generally U-shaped pillow (4) having a gap(12) extending therethrough for safely supporting the infant in agenerally reclining position, said gap (12) being defined by first andsecond side support arms (8, 10) and a rear support portion (6) whereinthe first and second arms (8, 10) are connected to the rear supportportion (6) on opposing sides thereof, said rear support portion (6)extending away from a plane of a flat substrate, said rear supportportion (6) and the first and second side arms (8, 10) cooperating toassist in supporting the infant in the generally reclining position onthe flat substrate; a pillow cover covering said pillow (4); and aharness arrangement (20) comprising at least one harness member (16, 24,28, 32) for restraining the infant in the gap (12), at least a part ofthe harness arrangement (20) cooperating with the pillow cover toprevent separation of the harness arrangement (20) therefrom, said atleast one harness member (16, 24, 28, 32) of the harness arrangement(20) cooperating with the infant to restrain the infant in the gap (12)whereby the pillow (4) and the harness arrangement (20) combine tosafely support and restrain the infant in the generally recliningposition.
 16. The infant safety device as recited in claim 15 whereinsaid at least one member (16, 24, 28, 32) includes two flaps (24, 28)provided with releasable fastening means (26, 30) located substantiallyadjacent a distal end thereof for permitting cooperative engagement ofsaid two flaps (26, 30) such that said two flaps (26, 30) partiallyenvelop a torso of the infant to restrain the infant in the recliningposition.
 17. The infant safety device as recited in claim 15 whereinsaid at least one member (16, 24, 28, 32) includes a flap (24) providedwith releasable fastening means (26) located substantially adjacent adistal end thereof for permitting cooperative engagement of said flap(24) with the pillow cover to at least partially envelop a torso of theinfant to restrain the infant in the reclining position.
 18. The infantsafety device as recited in claim 15 wherein said at least one member(16, 24, 28, 32) includes three flaps (24, 28, 32) for enveloping atorso of the infant such that one of said three flaps (24, 28, 32) islocatable between legs of the infant to assist in preventing slidingmovement of the infant when restrained in the reclining position. 19.The infant safety device as recited in claim 15 wherein the pillow coveris provided with a pocket (14) for receiving the harness arrangement(20), said pocket (14) being provided on an area of said pillow covercorresponding with the rear support portion (6) of the pillow (4). 20.The infant safety device as recited in claim 19 wherein the pocket (14)is attached to the pillow cover around at least a part of a perimeter ofthe pocket (14) such that a portion of the perimeter is open to allowaccess into the pocket (14).
 21. The infant safety device as recited inclaim 15 wherein the generally U-shaped pillow (4) and pillow cover aregenerally U-shaped along a central plane of the device (2).
 22. Theinfant safety device as recited in claim 15 wherein the harnessarrangement (20) is undetachably connected to the pillow cover.
 23. Theinfant safety device as recited in claim 15 wherein the pillow cover isgenerally U-shaped.
 24. An infant safety device comprising: a pillowcover for cooperating with a generally U-shaped pillow having a gap forsafely supporting the infant in a generally reclining position on a flatsubstrate; and a harness arrangement (20) comprising at least oneharness member (16, 24, 28, 32) for restraining the infant, at least apart of the harness arrangement (20) cooperating with the pillow coverto prevent separation of the harness arrangement (20) therefrom, saidpillow cover further including a pocket (14) for receiving the harnessarrangement (20), said at least one harness member (16, 24, 28, 32) ofthe harness arrangement (20) cooperating with the infant for restrainingthereof whereby the pillow cover and the harness arrangement (20)combine to safely support and restrain the infant in the generallyreclining position.
 25. The infant safety device as recited in claim 24wherein the pillow cover is generally U-shaped.
 26. The infant safetydevice as recited in claim 24 wherein said at least one member (16, 24,28, 32) includes two flaps (24, 28) provided with releasable fasteningmeans (26, 30) located substantially adjacent a distal end thereof forpermitting cooperative engagement of said two flaps (26, 30) such thatsaid two flaps (26, 30) partially envelop a torso of the infant torestrain the infant in the reclining position.
 27. The infant safetydevice as recited in claim 24 wherein said at least one member (16, 24,28, 32) includes a flap (24) provided with releasable fastening means(26) located substantially adjacent a distal end thereof for permittingcooperative engagement of said flap (24) with the pillow cover to atleast partially envelop a torso of the infant to restrain the infant inthe reclining position.
 28. The infant safety device as recited in claim24 wherein said at least one member (16, 24, 23, 32) includes threeflaps (24,28, 32) for enveloping a torso of the infant such that one ofsaid three flaps (24, 28, 32) is locatable between legs of the infant toassist in preventing sliding movement of the infant when restrained inthe reclining position.
 29. The infant safety device as recited in claim24 wherein the pocket (14) is attached to the pillow cover around atleast a part of a perimeter of the pocket (14) such that a portion ofthe perimeter is open to allow access into the pocket (14).
 30. Theinfant safety device as recited in claim 24 wherein the harnessarrangement (20) is undetachably connected to the pillow cover.